Trainer bonuses lure horsemen to Big Fresno Fair

The Big Fresno Fair opens a nine-day meet Thursday to conclude the California Authority of Racing Fairs season.

The season-ending meet often attracts some trainers from Southern California as well as Northern California regulars in part because of the fair’s trainers’ contest, which offers $10,000 or a trailer to the leading trainer based on a points system. The runner-up receives $5,000.

In addition, CARF awards bonuses of $1,000 to trainers who start 10 horses and $500 to trainers who start five runners during the meet.

“We’re very confident we’ll get the number of horses we need for a good meet,” CARF executive director Larry Swartzlander said.

The meet will have two Thoroughbred stakes, the $100,000 Harris Farms and the $50,000 Bulldog, both for 3-year-olds and up. The Harris Farms, a six-furlong race for Golden State Series-eligible California-breds, will be held Saturday and has more than a dozen nominees. The Bulldog at 1 1/8 miles will be held Sunday, Oct. 13.

Stakes also will be offered for Arabians, mules, and Quarter Horses.

The meet runs Thursday-Sunday this week and Thursday-Monday (Columbus Day) next week. First post is 1:15 p.m.

Racing secretary Tom Doutrich is expecting a big opening weekend.

“The first weekend really lasts for three days,” he said. “On Friday, we play hosts to a number of high school reunions, and the people really come out to support racing. We try to put together a good card that day to support the fair and the fans.”

Fresno will send out its simulcast in high definition, which will allow the races to be televised by the primary TVG network.